Friday, December 14, 2012

Forgotten (and FREE) Stories: Lost Adventures of The CONTINENTAL OP

When I reviewed The Return of the Continental Op a couple of weeks ago (that's HERE), I noted that one of the stories, "Death & Company" (from the November 1930 Black Mask), had been out of print since 1947. At the time, I had it in my brain that this was the only Op tale so neglected. I was wrong.

Hammett scholar Robb McAllister kindly reminded me that the story "It" (from Black Mask of November 1, 1923) has been out of print since 1951. That story last appeared, under the title "The Black Hat That Wasn't There" in the digest collection Woman in the Dark.

That any Hammett stories are unavailable today is a travesty, and that Op stories are out of print is a crime. So I've scanned the digest versions of both tales, and I'm happy to share. Email me at delewis1@hotmail.com, and I'll shoot them back at you.

And do not fail to check this week's line-up of Forgotten Books - at pattinase.

FINE LITERATURE

DAFFY DILL STORIES

Your Editor

When not blogging, I write mysteries and historical adventure. I am the proud (and mighty dang lucky) recipient of the Mystery Writers of America 2011 Robert L. Fish Award. Check out "Skyler Hobbs and the Smarter Brother" in the Feb 2014 EQMM and "Mr. Crockett and the Longrifle" in the May 2014 AHMM. "The Continental Opposite," the start of a new series (I hope!), will appear in the May 2015 AHMM. And watch for "Mr. Crockett and Indians" in a yet-to-be announced AHMM.